Skincare Empties - June 2020

Key

WR - Will repurchase or have already repurchased

MR - Might repurchase at a later date.

WNR - Will not repurchase. Either it didn't work for me, I didn't like it, it's too expensive or it had ingredients that didn't suit my skin.

Skincare

* Calm Skin - Refreshing Facial Spritz (WR)
This is one of those surprisingly good Superdrug own-brand products which is great value for money and is also often on sale.
Containing Chamomile,Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide, this refreshing mist is ultra hydrating and is ideal as a spritz between skincare layers. My only gripe is that the spray on the bottle is quite aggressive so I always decant into a bottle with a finer mist. A definite repurchase though.

* The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% and Zinc (WR)
This used to be my absolute favourite item of skincare. It showed great results - clear and bright, healthy-looking skin. But I found it difficult to fit into my skincare routines so I stopped using it daily. I'd buy it again, and try and find a way to work it in so it fits nicely with my other daily products.

* Green Keratin - Precious Cacay Timeless Oil Elixir (MR)
Here's another facial oil that my oldest son decided to nab!
He has fair skin which is very sensitive and can get dry, he also has Vitiligo.
The only skincare he'll use is a facial oil and I've been directing him to ones that are particularly soothing and hydrating without leaving a residue. 
He loved this oil and I enjoyed using it also (when I could get my hands on it!).
I preferred this for evening use as it was slightly too rich for my combination/oily skin in the daytime, but my son used it both in the morning and the evening to keep his skin from drying out and feeling irritated.

* Revolution Skincare - 5% Caffeine Solution + Hyaluronic Acid Under Eye Serum (WNR)
Bought this to replace The Ordinary Caffeine Eye Serum when it ran out. Great value for money and far less sticky than The Ordinary.
However, I've tried other eye serums which are more effective than both of these. It's not a bad serum and in fact was very hydrating and cooling. Great for puffiness but didn't really lessen any dark circles.

* NK Naturals - Spring Season Oil (WR)
The NK Naturals seasonal skincare range has the been the absolute star of 2020 for me.
I've previously loved their season oils but now Nicola has introduced an entire skincare range for each season and they are totally fabulous!
I used this facial oil every morning -sometimes just mixing a wee bit with my day moisturiser, depending on how my skin felt each day.
I loved everything about it. Could quite happily wear as a scent too!

* Omoi Skincare - Q10 + E Facial Oil (WR)
I've been using this fab face oil last thing at night alongside Omoi's 'Plump it Up' cream for a gorgeous silky and nourishing last step. This combo always makes my skin feel so incredibly smooth and soft that I have to stop myself from constantly touching my face!
I'll definitely be repurchasing this in the future when I've depleted my facial oil collection.

* Omoi Skincare- Plump it Up Face Cream (WR)
One of the loveliest rich face creams I've ever tried!
I never use a rich face cream in the day as I find them too heavy for my skin. But this was ideal as the last step in my evening routine. I would mix it with a couple of drops of the Omoi Q10 + E Facial Oil for a maximum skin treat. These work so beautifully together. This was only a small 10ml pot but it lasted an absolute age because you only needed the tiniest amount per use.

* Bumi Naturals - Face Polish (WR)

I used to avoid physical exfoliation because of my broken capillaries. However, after receiving the Bumi Naturals face polish in a Skin Organics Beauty Box, I gave it a go and realised just how much I missed the satisfying sensation of a physical scrub!

This face polish contains Juniperberry, Sage, Hemp and Volcanic Ash. I was a bit worried at first because this was quite a sharp exfoliation - but my enjoyment of using this and the fab results soon shucked off any concerns. I stuck with using this just once a week (to avoid further over exfoliation) so this little pot lasted so long for me.

Despite it's intense exfoliation, the face polish also leaves a protective oil-based barrier, so my face never feels at all irritated or delicate. Fab stuff! Will definitely be repurchasing.

* Indie Lee - Rosehip Cleanser (WR)
Pretty much the most perfect second cleanser I've ever used! Lightly foaming, non-drying and with a delicious scent. Would happily repurchase again and again.

* Terre Verdi - Acqua Di Rosa Balancing Mist *Gifted (WR)
I absolutely love rose waters and have tried lots of different brands in the past, but I think this is perhaps the best I've tried. I used up this sample when mixing up my Terre Verdi Orange Coffee Face Mask, but Terre Verdi kindly gifted me a larger bottle and I've been using this in my daily routines, and also as a spritz throughout the day.
Read my review here.

Body and Hair Care

* Nature's Kitchen - Rescue Cream (MR)
When I first received this in a Love Lula Box I mistakenly assumed it to be just a hand cream, whereas it's actually for any part of the body which is ultra dry, sore or irritated. 
I did mostly use it on my hands (even though it's very rich and wasn't suitable for use during the working day) but also on my feet, legs and elbows.

I didn't feel that it was spectacular with it's results, but it kept dry parts from becoming too dry, sore or chapped.

* Kathleen Naturals - Tranquil Fields Bubble Bath & Shower Gel (WR)

My favourite shower gel for it's gorgeous scent and intense lathering.

This is super rich and luxurious and you only need a tiny amount to get a huge amount of silky bubbles. It costs a bit more than I'd usually like to spend, but it's actually great value for money as a little goes a long way.

* Cinnamon Jones - Body Oil (MR)
Great value body oil which was custom made by Cinnamon Jones. This was entirely my fault that I didn't use it as frequently as it deserved. I chose Cinnamon essential oil for my blend, not quite realising how strong a scent it is on it's own! I diluted this by adding more carrier oil and orange and ginger essential oils so it wasn't so strong. I'd buy from Cinnamo Jones again - but choose a different blend next time!

* Sol de Janeiro - Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (MR)
I know that this is one of those brands that people are crazy for, but I'm on the face with this one. I think it all comes down to the scent. I'm so used to natural scents from essential oils that I find this a bit too overpowering. I love a good scented product but this maybe too sweet for me.

* Akamuti - Amazonian Murmuru Butter (WR)
Although this is sold as a hair treatment, I actually used most of this as a foot balm. 
This solid butter applies like a balm. It is unscented but for its natural nutty smell. Very rich and softening - I found it ideal for massaging into my feet every night.

* Cocorosa Beauty - Alpine Lavender & Arnica Soothe Balm * Gifted (WR)
This was one of the samples that Cocorosa Beauty kindly recently sent me and I have already put an order in for a full size. I know that this balm is meant to be beneficial for soothing aching joints but I haven't put it to the test for that yet as I used it up on my feet! This balm makes for an incredibly soothing, cooling and softening balm for the feet. I recently tried out one of those foot peeling masks and this has been great at softening and calming down the last little bits of peeling feet (sorry - tmi!).
When I receive the full size though I will definitely be using it for other parts of the body too.

* Cocorosa Beauty - Ylang Ylang and Mandarin Balm *Gifted (WR)
Another sample gifted by Cocorosa Beauty and another that I have already purchased the full size of. Ooh, this is gorgeous! A beautifully light whipped balm which is beautiful to use, is long-lasting and has the most gorgeous scent. I'm always surprised that products which feel so luxurious and rich can be so light in texture.

* Beauty Kubes - Conditioning cubes (WR)
I received this box of three conditioning cubes as a sample in with my recent Earth Basics purchase. And I was really pleasantly surprised about how effect they were - even for my very thick, waist length hair. One cube was enough for each use and they really helped to de-tangle my hair after washing. Didn't leave any crispy residue and left my hair feeling soft and in better condition. Will definitely be buying more.